Boynton Police To Check For Drunken Drivers

BOYNTON BEACH — In an effort to keep the city`s streets free of drunken drivers, the Boynton Beach Police Department will operate several safety checkpoints during the next 30 days.

The checkpoints are intended to prevent drunken motorists from driving through the city, according to Lt. D.S. Hammack.

Police have set up the checkpoints about 10 times during the past year, Hammack said.

``We`ve found that they are extremely good deterrents to the drunk driver,`` Hammack said.

About seven officers will be posted at a checkpoint, Hammack said. A predetermined sequence -- every other car, every fifth car -- will be used to select cars which will be stopped.

Officers will identify themselves and ask to see the driver`s license and registration, Hammack said. At the same time, they will observe the individual`s coordination and sobriety.

Officers may also ask the driver to dim or brighten their headlights, operate their turn signals or perform other driving-related motor skills.

The entire test lasts only 60 to 90 seconds, he said.

If the officer is satisfied the driver is sober, he will be released. A questionnaire of the checkpoint and its general effectiveness is distributed and returned to the Palm Beach County Traffic Safety Office.

``The results are in our favor,`` Hammack said of the questionnaire results. ``Very few people who respond are irritated or angry at being stopped.``

Although the department does not compile separate statistics on the number of drunken drivers arrested through the safety checks, 43 people were arrested from Aug. 21, 1984, to Aug. 21, 1985, on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, Hammack said.

The department hopes to conduct two or three safety checks during the next 30 days, Hammack said. Dates and locations are confidential.

``We want people to know we`re out there, but we don`t want them to know when and where,`` Hammack said.